Letters From New York
6th November 1967
Dear Mum,
Melbourne Cup eve and I can’t but think of the big event – only 2 ½ hours away [text cut out] write this at 9.30PM. Have [text cut out] sweep at the U.N. again [text cut out] response from the Australian contingent, & managed [text cut out] to draw something out [text cut out] (garcon). Pat & [text cut out] seem to have the edge [text cut out] handed & midland [text cut out] like red handed, [text cut out]. It may be possible [text cut out] hear a re-broadcast [text cut out] at 7.20AM tomorrow [text cut out] Australia (if we can [text cut out] the short wave). Doesn’t [text cut out] quite the quality in the [text cut out] – though I note [text cut out] seems to hold the [text cut out] but I suppose it will turn out to be quite an event as usual. Have just read the reports, too, of Tobin Bronze’s last effort in Aust. (the Cox [text cut out] looking forward to [text cut out] on T.V.) run in the big [text cut out] Invitation stake at [text cut out] next Saturday.
Your letter arrived on time on Friday [text cut out] was quite interested [text cut out] accounts of Vince’s [text cut out] he’s always had a [text cut out] the girls – his problem [text cut out] he didn’t put the [text cut out] effect – and it’s [text cut out] to home. What’s this about [text cut out] the King celebrations [text cut out] over in the Glebe – I was under the impression it was [text cut out] prerogative. You seem to be getting around quite a bit with that big nephew of mine and he, himself, seems to be far more free and active than I can remember the brothers to be in my day (more, no doubt, of the current revolution in the Church). I owe him a letter I think and he’s not been too far from my thoughts lately as I think of him getting set for his second year examinations. Interested in your news of Bro. Norbert’s return and moreso of Rodan’s prospective visit here in May. Hope he does make it before we leave.
Joan has a hectic couple of days coming up with both Anthony & Cathy’s birthdays this week. She’s having a party for Cathy on Wednesday with ten little guests and another for Anthony on Saturday with nine boys. Cathy’s recently joined the brownies (junior girl scouts) and we’ve bought her a uniform and Joan’s made her a nylon quilted dressing gown. Anthony has had orders in for quite some time for a very comprehensive art set (which we’ve got for him) and a microscope outfit. One I have my eye on for him costs about $13.00 but just at the moment we’re suffering from a chronic shortage of liquid funds. Perhaps garcon might solve the problem for me tomorrow!! Your cards arrived for them both today and were very well received. Might add this is the third pen I’m on (the other two dried up on me) – seems there’s a force determined that I don’t get this finished. Perhaps the fact that I also have one ear & eye attuned to a very good Andy Williams special show on T.V. isn’t helping either.
A busier week this past one and Winter does seem to be here to stay. We’re getting temperatures down in the low forties and into the thirties and the winds have been quite bitter. No frosts or snow as yet but the extremes from the outside air to the unnatural warmth of the heated apartment makes [text cut out] ‘flu conditions. [text cut out] report of a likely [text cut out] ‘flu epidemic in [text cut out] Joan & I have taken [text cut out]. The serum [text cut out] the authorities [text cut out] it out to children [text cut out], generally it can be [text cut out] by people 46 and [text cut out] quite a sore arm [text cut out] after it (Joan had [text cut out] at all) and felt [text cut out] (almost as if I had [text cut out] but am OK now.
Our Tuesday [text cut out] party was short [text cut out] as the baby sisters (our children) called us home a couple of times. The children went very well at Halloween and got quite a beautiful afternoon & evening for it. Michael enjoyed himself very much and you won’t believe the way he’s come out of himself since being at school. Wednesday & Friday was taken to lunch by business associates and at one had some very interesting discussion about the prospects of doing some representing for them when I return to Australia. On Saturday I got the Tolhursts off from Kennedy Airport at 11.00AM, returned to assist with the painting of Michael’s classroom till 6.15PM and then to Greg’s for a very enjoyable farewell party for one of our Aust. girls at the U.N. returning home at the end of the month. On Sunday we were up early & into the painting again (the classroom looks really great) and in the afternoon saw a composite Aussie Rules team from Victoria play a N.Y. team Gaelic Football – we lost!!
Have left the back for Joan again.
Lots of love,
Bill
Dear Mum,
What a rush I have had this morning, Bill is just about to leave for work so will have to hurry. The weather is very cold now this morning it is 35° yesterday it was 32°. Suppose it won’t be long before we have snow. All the children [text cut out] seems to be over the worst [text cut out] off today to the hospital [text cut out]. Anthony & Cathy received [text cut out] cards yesterday thank [text cut out]. Will have to sign off Bill is leaving.
God bless, all my love,
Joan
Finishing this at work where I’ve just learned that Red Handed won the Cup giving Bart Cummings something of a record with three winners in a row. Pat Travis won my sweep – couldn’t have happened to a nicer person.